Namor the Sub-Mariner is one of Marvel Comics' earliest characters and the first mutant. As one of the oldest characters in the Marvel Universe, Namor has his fair share of enemies, with many of them being some of the fiercest heroes.
Within his over 80 year span in comics, Namor’s brute strength has been challenged by many superheroes, but only a few have been victorious. As long as Namor is within his natural habitat underwater and is motivated to defend Atlantis, his strength and endurance are unmatched. From Jim Hammond to She-Hulk, Namor has spent decades defeating some of Marvel’s greatest heroes.
1 Namor Trapped The Original Human Torch To Contain His Flames
Marvel Mystery Vol. 1 #9 (1940), By Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, John Compton, And Ray Gill
As the two earliest characters in Marvel Comics, it’s no surprise that Namor and Jim Hammond’s Human Torch would cross paths. The two legendary characters worked well as a team, but they also bumped heads and disagreed on certain topics.
After an attempt on Namor’s life, the Sub-Mariner responded by attacking New York. Jim Hammond tried to catch Namor in order to protect New York, and the two went back and forth, trying to stop one another. Eventually, Namor trapped The Human Torch in a tube to contain his powers, cutting off air and preventing him from creating flames.
2 Daredevil Was No Match For Namor
Daredevil #7 (1965), By Stan Lee, Wally Wood, And Artie Simek
Daredevil may be known as The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, but when Namor came to town, he practically took over. When seeking counsel by Nelson and Murdock to sue the entire human race for sea pollution, Namor was denied, so he took his anger out on New York, again.
As the city’s protector, Matt Murdock put on his Daredevil suit and tried his hardest to stop the Sub-Mariner, but he was no match. Namor basically demolished Daredevil multiple times, but Murdock didn't give up. In a failed attempt to subdue Namor, Daredevil electrocuted himself. Namor admired Daredevil’s bravery and gave himself up to the authorities, but he remained victorious in the fight.
3 Namor Blew The Hulk Out Of The Water
Incredible Hulk Vol. 1 #118 (1969), By Stan Lee, Herb Trimpe, And Art Simek
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
After The Leader knocked the Hulk into the ocean prior, Bruce Banner was discovered in the ocean by Namor’s lover Lady Dorma. Dorma gave Banner a pill, allowing him to breathe underwater so that he could recover. When Namor learned about Lady Dorma having another man in her chambers, he flew into a jealous rage, and he confronted her.
Their argument woke up Banner, who transformed into the Hulk, aiming to protect Dorma from Namor. Namor and Hulk’s fight caused tidal waves and collateral damage to the people of Atlantis. Namor eventually knocked the Hulk out of the water. Namor confirmed his victory when he found an unconscious Hulk transforming back to Bruce Banner.
4 Silver Surfer Was Nearly Wiped Out
Sub-Mariner #34 (1970), By Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, Jim Mooney, and Art Simek
Before forming the super team known as the Titans Three, Namor and Silver Surfer didn't see eye to eye. After finding a machine that could control the weather, Namor sought other heroes that could help him protect Earth. While looking for Hulk, Namor came across the Silver Surfer and asked Surfer to join him in his adventure to save the planet.
The Silver Surfer would not listen to Namor at first, so Namor pulled him by his foot and into the water. The Silver Surfer struck back and Namor knocked him down again. The two of them went back and forth striking blows until Namor finally convinced The Silver Surface to forfeit and assist him in destroying the device.
5 Namor Got Black Panther To Raise The White Flag
Defenders #84 (1980), By Ed Hannigan, Don Perlin, Tex Blaisdell, George Roussos, And Diana Albers
The tension between Atlantis and Wakanda and their two leaders, Namor and T’Challa (Black Panther), is one of the most famous turf wars in Marvel Comics. After Atlanteans were caught purchasing stolen Wakandan tech, T’Challa captured those responsible, which angered Namor.
Being a diplomatic leader, T’Challa tried to handle matters peacefully, but Namor wasn't convinced. The two fought until the Hulk smashed through walls, causing a flood. Namor saved both Black Panther and Hulk, bringing them back to the surface. When the Wakandans found an injured Black Panther, they believed it was an attempt at war and fired missiles on Atlantis. T’Challa warned Namor of the missiles and surrendered in peace.
6 A Hypnotized Namor Defeated Captain America
Captain America Vol 1. #365 (1989), By Mark Gruenwald, Kieron Dwyer, Danny Bulanadi, Bob Sharen, And Jack Morelli
Captain America and Namor have a history of being frenemies. Even after Namor attacked the Avengers, they eventually came to an understanding that they were both inspired to protect Earth. However, Namor’s initiation as a member of the Avengers had a rough start.
Desperate to defeat Captain America, Red Skull hired The Controller to take over Namor and encourage him to kill Captain America. When a hypnotized Namor attacked him, Cap proved no match, and Namor countered every one of his blows. Finally, Cap had to play possum to trick Namor into getting close to him so that he could destroy Controller’s device. Captain America restrained Namor, but he didn’t win the fight.
7 Ultimate Namor Obliterated The Ultimate Fantastic Four
Ultimate Fantastic Four #24-26 (2006), By Mark Millar, Greg Land, Matt Ryan, Justin Ponsor, And Lauren Martin
In the Ultimate Universe on Earth 1610, the Ultimate Fantastic Four went to explore the unreachable places within Atlantis. They discovered Namor’s tomb, and he broke free. After fighting, Namor convinced Sue that he wasn't an enemy and to let him show her the damage that was done to his kingdom.
Reed Richards realized Namor was a prisoner and when The Fantastic Four approached the Sub-Mariner, the Atlantean effortlessly subdued each member. Richards even used a helmet that projected his subconscious to create illusions of other superheroes, but Namor was persistent. The only way to stop Namor was for Sue to let him kiss her in front of Reed. Sue agreed, and Namor left victorious and satisfied.
8 Namor Sent Iron Man Flying Across the Ocean
New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (2006), By Brian Michael Bendis, Alexander Maleev, Christopher P. Eliopoulos, And David Stewart
When Iron Man learned of another one of Hulk’s dangerous rampages that resulted in the death of many innocent lives, he turned to the rest of the Illuminati for a solution to stop the Hulk. While the other members agreed with his plan to subdue Hulk, Namor felt Iron Man was betraying his fellow Avenger.
Iron Man and Namor exchanged words until Namor finally threw the first powerful punch, sending Stark flying through the building and across the ocean. The fight continued underwater where Namor removed Iron Man’s helmet, causing him to suffocate. It took Doctor Strange’s enchantments to release Stark from the Sub-Mariner’s clutches.
9 Namor Outsmarted And Body-Slammed Wolverine
Sub-Mariner Vol 2. #3 (2007), By Mark Cherniss, Peter Johnson, Philippe Briones, Cory Petit, And Paul Mounts
After Atlantean rebels set up a terror attack in Kansas, Namor ran into an unwelcoming Wolverine at Charles Xavier’s school. Namor tried to explain to Wolverine that he wasn’t behind the attacks, but Wolverine was concerned that his presence would set off the sentinels, causing the mutant students to become collateral damage.
Namor punched Logan before he could throw the first claw, sending him flying across the school. The two began to tussle, causing Namor to fall into a pool. Wolverine quickly released heat into the pool, hoping to dehydrate Namor, but the Sub-Mariner swiftly swam through the concrete, got the drop on Wolverine, and power slammed him into the ground.
10 Namor Overpowered Both She-Hulk And Luke Cage
Uncanny X-Men Vol 2. #12 (2012) By Keiron Gillen, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Guru eFX, Joe Caramagna, And Nick Lowe
Many of Namor and She-Hulk’s encounters had been flirtatious, challenges of strength. The two powerful beings never really had to duke it out in a serious match until the conflict between the X-Men and Avengers took a chaotic turn.
After knocking out Luke Cage, leaving him vulnerable due to his inability to breathe underwater, Namor threw Cage’s body at She-Hulk, knocking her unconscious. Namor then attacked The Thing until Magik transported him out of the fight. Since their skirmish had occurred underwater, it’s clear that The Thing would have been clobbered that time.